Chronic immune activation is a central feature of HIV-infection, and the degree of activated T-cells is a better predictor of disease progression and mortality than plasma viral load. The study hypothesis is that the anti-inflammatory substance etoricoxib will dampen chronic immune activation and improve the effect of T-cell dependent vaccines in HIV-1 infected patients.

The aim of the present study is to explore the efficacy of the study drug on markers of immune activation and vaccine responses, as well as safety of the study drug, in HIV-infected patients not receiving antiretroviral therapy.

The current trial was based on our observations that augmented levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) contribute to the T cell dysfunction in HIV-infected patients. In T cells, cAMP triggers a protein kinase A (PKA) - Csk - Lck inhibitory pathway that inhibits the proximal T cell receptor (TCR) signaling events. This mechanism may also be involved in the inhibitory function of regulatory T cells.

The investigators have hypothesized that elevated levels of cAMP in T cells from HIV-infected individuals result from increased production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) following activation-induced expression of cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) in lymphoid tissues. Although the investigators have identified even COX-2 positive T cells in HIV-infected individuals, activated monocytes may be the major source of PGE2; high levels of COX-2 are produced de novo after a number of stimuli, particularly lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Circulating LPS is indeed increased in untreated chronic HIV infection due to enhanced translocation of microbial material and correlates to chronic immune activation and disease progression.

In three preceding clinical explorative trials, the investigators have demonstrated that COX-2 inhibition by COX-2 inhibitors (COX-2i) improves the immune functions of HIV patients, the first two studies included patients on antiretroviral treatment (ART). In the third trial the investigators also showed for the first time that treatment with a COX-2i was able to downregulate chronic immune activation and improve T cell functions (efficacy of T cell-dependent vaccine) in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients who did not use ART. In these patients, chronic immune activation was dampened as demonstrated; CD38 density on CD8+ T cells (primary endpoint) decreased by 24% by study week 12. This reduction could be extrapolated to a possible improvement of CD4+ T cell loss with 30 CD4 cells per ul per year with an approximate mean CD4 loss of 60 per ul per year. These data founded the basis for further support to this study through the GLOBVAC call program under the Norwegian Research Council (granted application for the current study).

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 65 Years (Adult)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

confirmed diagnosis of HIV infection < 8 years prestudy

no HIV-related clinical manifestations including acute HIV infection

no current indication or use for antiretroviral treatment

CD4+ count > 350 x 106 /l

HIV RNA > 2000 copies/ml

Exclusion Criteria:

On current antiretroviral treatment

concomitant or sporadic use of NSAID, corticosteroids or other immune modulating therapies including interferon-alpha

cholesterol > 7 M

under treatment for hypertension or antihypertensive treatment indicated at inclusion

cardiovascular events or stroke in parents, siblings or off-springs occurring < 55 years of age

elevated serum creatinine

diabetes type I or II

known hypersensitivity for etoricoxib, capsule substances or sulphonamides

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01269515